OCM BOCES' REACH Program Helps Salvation Army

Students in OCM BOCES’ REACH Program are involved with several charitable events to benefit the Salvation Army this holiday season. Throughout the month of November, students collected food for the Salvation Army and toys for the agency’s Christmas Bureau Donation Day on December 21. On Monday, December 20, students and staff will be participating in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at Carousel Center by acting as bell ringers and they will also help organize gifts at the Christmas Bureau Distribution Day.

REACH students Jameson Kissane and Jesse Miles with Renae Montroy, school social worker, stand beside one of the school’s food donation barrels.

TEP Program Raising Money and Donations for Francis House

For the third year in a row, students and staff from the OCM BOCES TEP (Transitional Education Program) have been working hard to make the holidays a little merrier for residents of Syracuse’s Francis House, a supportive home for people with terminal illness. Under the direction of School Social Worker Meghan Gould and TEP Teacher Gina Morabito, students have been brainstorming ways to expand their charitable efforts. In addition to collecting food and household items as was done in previous years, the students this year also made blankets for Francis House residents and held a pizza sale to raise money. The students were fortunate enough to receive pizza donations from several local restaurants including Pizza Hut, Wegmans, Mark’s Pizzeria and Bagozzi’s Pizza. More than $200 was raised by the pizza sale and that money will be used to purchase Wegman’s gift cards for residents. On December 17, three TEP students, one Stellata student and several TEP and Stellata staff members will personally deliver the gifts to Francis House.

Pictured: OCM BOCES' Transitional Education Program student Kayla Barclay dishes a slice of pizza for BOCES’ Adult Education HVAC student Kyle Cook.

OCM BOCES' STAR Program Students Serve-up Smiles!

On Friday Dec 3, 2010, seven students from OCM BOCES’ STAR Program, in Amy Whittington's classroom at Homer Intermediate School, made and packed 20 lunches for the Cortland Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen. The students learned how to make protein-rich peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to share with patrons of the kitchen. Students packed the meals in bags that they had decorated brightly. The children were very proud of their hard work and the lunches were greatly appreciated by those to whom they were served!

Cortland Alternative Featured in Cortland Standard

On Wednesday, November 24, 2010, students and staff from OCM BOCES' Cortland Alternative School were featured in the Cortland Standard newspaper.

The entire news story can be viewed by following the address below:
http://www.cortlandstandard.net/articles/11242010n.html

Cortland Alternative Students and Staff Pitch-In to Help Out

Nine students and two staff members from OCM BOCES’ Cortland Alternative School recently donated their time and effort for two good causes to help their community. Through the Family Essentials Program of the Cortland County Community Action Program (CAPCO), students and staff assisted with the 2010 Cortland County Coat drive. This is the second year that the CAS has helped with the drive by organizing coats according to the various sizes donated.

In addition to providing assistance with the coat drive, the same group also helped make the playground at a local day-care safer for the children who will play there. The group recently spent time at the day-care spreading recycled rubber tire bits around the center’s newly installed playground. The children who attend the center will have opportunities to use the playground in the spring.


The CAS students involved with these community services projects were: Amber Lee, Kiersten Doupe, Jamie Coville, Gage Mitchell, Jacob Lansdowne, Brad DeGroff, Chanel Stroman, Meagan Dwelly and Tyler Thomas, all 8 through 12 grade students. The two CAS staff members were Sue Sperger and Stacy Young.

Many thanks to everyone involved!

McEvoy Students Inducted into National Technical Honor Society

Thirty-five seniors were inducted into the National Technical Education Society, on Thursday November 4, 2010 at the McEvoy Campus in Cortland. Students inducted into the technical honor society represent the “best of the best” in McEvoy’s Career and Technical Education Programs. In order to be inducted into the technical honor society students must have an 85 average or higher, 12 or fewer absences from their program for the year and receive a teacher endorsement. Students must also demonstrate attributes that include: respect, honesty, skill, responsibility, leadership, service and citizenship. Congratulations to the students and their families!

Pictured (left to right) are: Richard Hansen, McEvoy Career and Technical Education Principal; Douglas VanEtten, Homer Central School Principal; Karley Brown, Inductee; Nathan Parker, Inductee; Andrew Gallagher, Inductee; Carly Riehlman, Inductee and Rebecca Robertson, McEvoy School Counselor.

The complete list of inductees from the McEvoy Campus is as follows:

Cincinnatus Central School District: Philip Clark (Automotive Technology), Nicolette Otto (Health Occupations Technology), Chelsey Palmer (Graphic Communications Technology) and Brendon Wehner (Culinary Arts).

Cortland City School District: Troy Beckwith (Construction Technology), Noah Bishop (Construction Technology), Thalia Ortiz (Cosmetology), Daniel Southwick (Computer Technology), Shane Stiles (Automotive Collision Technology) and Jesse Towers (Graphic Communications Technology).

DeRuyter Central School District: Aaron White (Automotive Collision Technology) and Steven Wilcox (Automotive Collision Technology).

Fabius Pompey Central School District: Alexander Knapp (Construction Technology).

Homer Central School District: Karley Brown (Graphic Communications Technology), Jennifer Daniels (Graphic Communications Technology), Andrew Gallagher (Computer Technology), Nathan Parker (Construction Technology) and Carly Riehlman (New Vision Medical Professions).

Marathon Central School District: Benjamin Griep (Construction Technology), Jerry Hence (Computer Technology), Brandon Marsh (Construction Technology), Erik McGowan (Construction Technology), Steven Perry (Construction Technology) and Makayla Pixley (Culinary Arts).

McGraw Central School District: Lacey Fisk (Computer Technology), Dakota Malison (Computer Technology), Christopher Moffitt (Criminal Justice), Justin Rowley (Automotive Technology) and Adam Williams (Culinary Arts).

Tully Central School District: Brian Clukey (Automotive Collision Technology), Steven Crawford (Automotive Collision Technology), Taylor Fisher (Culinary Arts), Jazmine Muir (Culinary Arts) and Joshua Norton (Cosmetology).

Learning Commons in the 21st Century

What will libraries look like in the future? Instructional leaders and lead librarians from twenty districts are working to answer that question in the Learning Commons in the 21st Century (LC21) project. The project will take place over the course of the 2010-2011 school year during which districts will clarify their vision of their own library media centers and make plans to achieve that vision. 

On November 18th, Allison Zmuda worked with district instructional and the accompanying lead-LMS for the district to begin the process of visioning your Learning Commons of the future (LC21).

This will be followed up by a visit from David Loertscher on December 1st. David is the author of The New Learning Commons: Where Learners Win. He will tell districts about the cutting edge in libraries, media centers, and learning commons. In January, the project will embark on a virtual out-of-state field trip to see a “state of the art” learning commons in action. Participants will get to “see” the learning commons and chat with the director.  Allison Zmuda will return to OCM BOCES on February 17th when she will complete the visioning process and help you start to formulate a plan to achieve your vision.

Participation in the LC21 project is paid for by a member item grant from NY Senator David Valesky.

Career Academy Students Begin "Project 180" Hoping to Turn Lives Around

Students at OCM BOCES’ Career Academy in Liverpool have begun a new project this school year with the mission of turning lives around. “Project 180” is the concept of a group of Career Academy students who have decided to create the program to help local people who cannot help themselves. Students hope that in turn, that person will then help another (the pay it forward concept) and many lives will be changed for the better.

Five Career Academy students; Liz Emin from the Baldwinsville School District, Kaylie LaFlair from the North Syracuse School District, Jon Cayea from the Baldwinsville School District, Lilly Snyder from the North Syracuse School District and Paige Szymanak from the North Syracuse School District, created and run Project 180 under the advisement of Career Academy Art Teacher Leah LaChausse. The students created a company logo and are working with Lynn Hoppel, a graphic designer at Syracuse University Press, to have it professionally designed and printed.

At the end of September, the students set up a facebook page that they update with projects in which they are currently involved, and through which they present volunteer opportunities to their fans. Additionally, the students make phone calls and send emails in support of local charities and have scheduled tours at several local organizations in need of volunteers.

On Tuesday, November 9, Project 180 students volunteered at St. Joseph the Worker food pantry in Liverpool. While at the pantry, students helped out by stocking shelves, packaging food and greeting patrons. Career Academy student Kaylie LaFlair found the experience to be eye-opening, saying, “It was sad to see all the people coming to the pantry in need of food, and it made me realize that there are people not far from your home or mine that struggle everyday with everyday needs. It [gave] me a good feeling inside knowing that we helped them out. It was just too bad that we could not give more, because the pantry is currently low on food.” After spending the day at the pantry, the project’s facebook page status was updated to read, “Great job at St. Joe’s today! They are in need of turkeys for Thanksgiving.”

Throughout the school year, the students will be volunteering at several local charities and doing other projects to help local community members in need. Some of Project 180’s upcoming events include painting windows at the Park Rose Retirement Community, making gift bags and place mats for the Rescue Mission and volunteering at the Rescue Mission.

Career Academy Art Teacher and Project 180 advisor Leah LaChausse, is impressed with the students’ enthusiasm saying, “the kids seem VERY motivated to help out in the community and have suggested making the Rescue Mission their ‘BIG GIVEBACK’ this year.”

For more information about the OCM BOCES Career Academy’s Project 180, please visit their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-180/105942032803054 or contact Leah LaChausse at the OCM BOCES Career Academy at 315/453-4473.

Top photo (left to right): Paige Szymanak, Ms. LaChausse, Kaylie LaFlair, Jon Cayea, Ms. Verma, Liz Emin.

Bottom photo: OCM BOCES’ Career Academy student Paige Szymanak from thBe North Syracuse Central School District helps prepare food donations for their eventual recipients at the St. Joseph the Worker Food Pantry on November 9, 2010.

OCM BOCES Culinary Program Serves in Style

On Thursday, October 7, OCM BOCES opened the doors to their school’s “Class Act” dining room at the Irvin E. Henry Campus in Syracuse. The dining room, part of the school’s Culinary Arts program, is open each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (when school is in session) from 11:00 AM until 12:00 noon. The dining room is open to the public and features elegant cuisine prepared by students and served a la’ carte on a buffet line. As part of BOCES’ Culinary Arts program, students participate in all aspects of the dining process, including menu selection, food preparation, presentation, customer service and clean-up.

OCM BOCES’ Culinary Arts program is a hands-on food preparation curriculum that incorporates the National Restaurant Association's two-year ProStart curriculum. Students are instructed on all areas of food production and dining room/customer service with emphasis on food safety, sanitation, and basic foundation skills necessary to work in the food service industry. There is also a great deal of emphasis placed upon building social skills, working as a team, following directions, and exhibiting positive work attitudes.

In addition to food preparation for the Class Act dining room, OCM BOCES Culinary Arts students learn food service at the “Electric Apple,” the school’s student run restaurant. The Apple, as it is known, serves café-type fare such as soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. OCM BOCES students perform all food preparation and service aspects at the Electric Apple, with the largest portion of customers being other BOCES students. The Electric Apple is also open Wednesday through Friday when school is in session and serves breakfast from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.

The public is invited to enjoy a lunch experience at OCM BOCES Class Act dining room. Reservations are encouraged by calling the school’s kitchen at 431-8518.

Top photo: High school juniors MicKenzie Williams (left) from the Marcellus School District and Samantha Oakley from the Chittenango School District are students in OCM BOCES’ Culinary Arts Program. The girls are pictured removing the food leftovers from the “Class Act” dining room’s buffet line on Friday, October 29, 2010.

Bottom photo: OCM BOCES Culinary Arts Program Junior Hannah Hillenbrand from the Westhill School District looks over the dining menu for the school’s Electric Apple dining room with customer Sasha Marohn. Ms. Marohn was at BOCES for a workshop put on by the organization.

Adult Learners Offer Lesson to Younger Students

On Monday, November 8, 2010, a group of 10 adult students from OCM BOCES GED, Adult Literacy and other adult education programs, addressed students from the North Syracuse Central School District. 2010 is the third year that adult learners from OCM BOCES have gone to North Syracuse Junior High School to talk with middle and junior high students about the importance of staying in school and getting an education. The NSJH Student Assistance Program and Counseling Department hosted the hour-long panel discussion, in cooperation with OCM BOCES’ Division of Adult Education.

The student panelists from OCM BOCES shared their very personal stories of having dropped out of school at young ages and openly discussed how their decisions negatively impacted their lives. Each panelist, whose ages ranged from 19 to over 50, eventually came to realize that in order to survive and thrive, they would need to obtain an education and each one came to OCM BOCES to do so. The panelists talked about hardships in their lives such as teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol use and abuse, reliance on government supports, the death of friends and family and imprisonment. The goal of the panel discussion was for the younger students to hear firsthand about how the decision to leave school causes hardship.

Pictured: Forty-one year old Reginald Ferguson of Mattydale talks to a group of students at North Syracuse Junior High School on Monday, November 8, 2010. Reginald was one of a panel of ten adult students from OCM BOCES adult education programs to address the younger group regarding the experiences of dropping out of school and the struggles of trying to return later in life. Reginald provided a forthright account of his hardships resulting from having dropped out of school, including the death of one of his daughters. Reginald’s advice to the younger students included “take[ing] the time today to do what you have to do to have a better tomorrow.”

TEP Students Sell Anti-Bullying Wristbands

With October touted as Bullying Awareness month, the issue has been a subject of much discussion in classrooms across Central New York. Many OCM BOCES' programs across our three-county area have explored the topic as part of their classroom curriculum. Our TEP (Transitional Education Program) students spent much of the month working hard on Anti-Bullying campaigns by doing research, creating posters and PowerPoint presentations and making anti-bullying pledges.

On Friday, November 5, the TEP students also sold Stand Up Speak Out wristbands at the Career Training Center in Liverpool. The bands were sold for $1.00 each and raised $100 to go to the Pacer Center for Bullying Prevention.

For more information about OCM BOCES’ anti-bullying efforts or the wristband sale, please contact Meghan Gould, School Social Worker at 431-8529.

Top photo: OCM BOCES employee Cindy Lester from the Literacy Department purchases three wristbands from TEP students.

Middle photo: A poster made by OCM BOCES students in the Transitional Education Program shows their pledge to "stand up" and "speak out" against bullying.

Bottom photo: (left to right) Lucas Bloss, Ashanti Washington, Robin Laribee and Kayla Barclay, all students in OCM BOCES' Transitional Education Program, staff the anti-bullying wristband sale at the Lee G. Peters Career Training Center on Friday, November 5, 2010.

Senior Deputy Comissioner Visits

On Wednesday, October 27, New York State Senior Deputy Commissioner John King, Jr., addressed more than 40 area superintendents and principals at the Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES. Dr. King's presentation at BOCES was in order to discuss the New York State Regents Reform Agenda, which includes the following priorities:
Teacher Preparation & Effectiveness　

Curriculum & Professional Development
Assessment

Leadership

Early Childhood

Raising Graduation Rates
Replacing Failing Schools

Building a P-20 Data System

Transforming the State Education Department

During his presentation, Dr. King described the Department's and Board of Regents' vision for college and career readiness for all students. Dr. King was accompanied by Ken Slentz, Associate Commissioner of District Services. Mr. Slentz connected the State's Race To The Top application to the reform agenda.

After their meeting with area superintendents, Dr. King and Mr. Slentz traveled to Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES where they addressed area principals and board of education members.

McEvoy Campus to Hold First Fundraiser - November 4, 2010

McEvoy Campus SkillsUSA students, in conjunction with the Epicurean Club, will hold their first fundraising event of the year on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the McEvoy Education Center (1710 State Route 13) in Cortland. The featured food, prepared and served by the students, will be Specialty Sandwiches of pulled pork or sausage with peppers and onions. Preorders are welcome. For more information or to preorder food, call 607-758-5140.

Confronting Bullying in CNY

More than 70 educators from the OCM BOCES component school districts gathered on the Henry Campus to learn more about confronting bullying in our schools.

Just-released research paints the picture: 1/6 of students indicate being frequently bullied. Almost half of boys who are being bullied report that it has gone on for longer than a year. Bystanders report feeling bad about the bullying but not many bystanders do anything about it.

Cyberbullying is on the rise and can be just as hurtful and harmful as conventional bullying.

Participants in the summit (a session in the Leadership Seminar series) learned about programs in schools that have made a difference.

Living Environment Students Learn about Controlled Experimentation

Living Environment Students Learn about Controlled Experimentation
Students in Mrs. Aguayo’s Living Environment class at McEvoy started out the year learning about controlled experiments. Students were given an opportunity to brainstorm and come up with an experiment of interest to them that could be tested in class. As a class, students decided to test the hypothesis that Mentos candy causes soda to fizz. The experiment was 100% student created – from how they would collect data to determining the independent and dependent variables.

McEvoy Students/Teachers Learn “Happy” Habits and Support OCM BOCES’ Literacy Initiatives

Students in Mrs. Breneman’s and Mrs. Comolli’s classroom began the year reading The Seven Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey. This book ties into the Social-Emotional Learning component of their program. As the class read the book they created their classroom tree to illustrate the habits. The seven habits are:
Habit 1– be proactive, you are in charge (of making your own decisions, fun, choices, etc.)
Habit 2 – have a plan
Habit 3 – work first, then play
Habit 4 – everyone can win
Habit 5 – listen before you talk
Habit 6 – together is better
Habit 7 – balance feels best

Mrs. Breneman’s and Mrs. Comolli’s classes are supporting the BOCES literacy initiatives through their work with the Natalie Babbit’s novel, Tuck Everlasting. Students have been immersed in reading, discussions, and journaling each day.

Career Academy and Reach Students Celebrate International Day of Peace

On Tuesday, September 21, OCM BOCES’ Career Academy and Reach program students and staff celebrated International Day of Peace at the school and into the village of Liverpool. During the morning, students created pinwheels with inspiring messages of peace and then “planted” the pinwheels outside the school in order for the wind to carry their messages around the world. Following the pinwheel ceremony, students created banners and posters conveying messages of peace and then participated in a peace march starting at the school and going through the village of Liverpool.

2010 was the first year that OCM BOCES’ students participated in the International Day of Peace and all activities were arranged completely by students!

International Peace Day was established by a United ­Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. Beginning on the 20th anniversary of this date, the United Nations General Assembly set September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. Millions of students throughout the world currently participate in International Day of Peace activities. For more detailed information about International Day of Peace and Pinwheels for Peace, visit: http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/pinwheelsforpeace/home.html.

OCM BOCES McEvoy Campus Elects 12 SkillsUSA Officers and Announces Group’s First Fundraising Event

Congratulations to the 12 OCM BOCES students from the McEvoy Educational Campus in Cortland, recently elected as 2010-2011 SkillsUSA Officers.

SkillsUSA is a national organization which serves teachers, and high school and college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. The organization provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development and builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills.

The OCMBOCES McEvoy Skills USA officers for 2010-2011 are:

Juniors: Ben Rahne (from Tully Central School District) as President; Wade Morse (from McGraw Central School District) as Vice President; Richard Gunn (from Homer Central School District) as Treasurer; Taylor Latta (from Homer Central School District) as Secretary; MacKenzie Edinger (from Tully Central School District) as Reporter; and Stephen Sherman (from Cortland City School District) as Parliamentarian.

Seniors (pictured): Matthew Clark (from McGraw Central School District) as President; Tanesha Sharpsteen (from Cortland City School District) as Vice President; Larry Gantt (from Homer Central School District) as Treasurer; Ashley Fowler (from Cortland City School District) as Secretary; Nate Bush (from Homer Central School District) as Reporter, and Karissa Milliron (from Marathon Central School District) as Parliamentarian.

McEvoy Campus SkillsUSA students, in conjunction with the Epicurean Club, will hold their first fundraising event of the year on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the McEvoy Education Center (1710 State Route 13) in Cortland. The featured food, prepared and served by the students, will be Specialty Sandwiches of pulled pork or sausage with peppers and onions. Preorders are welcome. For more information or to preorder food, call 607-758-5140.

Fun Programs and Events Make Summer Special for BOCES’ Students

All OCM BOCES Special Education programs for severely disabled students take place for the entire 12 months of every year. During the summer of 2010, OCM BOCES held Special Education summer schools at North Syracuse Junior High, Lee G. Peters Career Training Center, Kasson Road School, McEvoy Center, Onondaga Road, Cedar Street, and Stonehedge Elementary. During July and August, BOCES’ dedicated Special Education summer school staff worked with our students to provide many unique and fun educational experiences.


Some of the many exciting events that students in these special education programs were a part of during the summer of 2010 were Special Olympic games, carnivals, concerts and dances. Parents and families were invited to these special school events through OCM BOCES and had many opportunities to witness how special the summer of 2010 was for their children. Many thanks to our dedicated staff!

Deaf Program Lemonade Stand Has Sweet Success for a Great Cause!

For the second year in a row, students in Lisa Austin’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing class at North Syracuse Junior High School, a part of OCM BOCES Special Education Summer School, created a lemonade stand to raise money for a great cause! During last year’s summer program, Ms. Austin was teaching her students about money and the importance of giving back and thought a Lemonade Stand would be a great way to teach students about both concepts. After researching, and finding several books on the topic, Austin came across the book Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand.

The book, about giving back and helping others, talked about Alex Scott, a little girl with cancer who set up a lemonade stand to help doctors find a cure for the disease. Alex’s Lemonade Stand, now a national organization, has raised more than $30 million dollars in the fight against childhood cancer...part of that money coming from right here in Central New York!

Last year, Austin’s students raised $100 at their lemonade stand. This year, they set the same goal but far exceeded it with the over $300 their stand brought in! Austin is proud of the hard work her students did to promote and staff the stand, including making flyers and announcements and working various jobs and shifts at the stand. Congratulations to teacher and students for a job well done! For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit their website at https://www.alexslemonade.org/.

Kasson Road Students Asked to Show Me The Mone't!

For some students, the summer of 2010 proved to be one of slowing down and taking notice of the wonderful things surrounding them. Students in Mrs. Kathleen Morsey’s art class at OCM BOCES’ Kasson Road School, learned a new
form of expression this summer and worked with water color paints. The students enjoyed the form of painting, and especially being able to do so in the school’s beautiful garden courtyard.

OCM BOCES Receives Nearly $1 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Education

OCM BOCES District Superintendent Jessica F. Cohen is pleased to announce that Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES has been awarded nearly $1 million from the U.S. Department of Education to improve the quality of teaching American history locally.

The grant for $989,497 over three years, will support the OCM BOCES "First Person America" project, focused on teaching history from a first-person perspective.
The Department of Education announced the grant in early August, with BOCES being named as one of 16 school districts or school groups in New York State to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Nationwide, 124 districts received part of the total $115.3 million awarded.
Through the grant, approximately 30 teachers each year will have the opportunity to attend week-long history lessons, monthly meetings and field trips to bolster their knowledge of American history and enhance their teaching strategies. OCM BOCES is partnering with the State University of New York College at Cortland to offer the teachers a chance to take history lessons from college professors and to create a series of lesson plans focused on in-class instruction.
During the 2010-2011 school year, the group of instructors from OCM BOCES and their 23 component school districts, will visit colonial Williamsburg to focus on the American Revolution. Additional field trips are planned to Gettysburg, where teachers will view the civil war through the eyes of African American soldiers, and to New York City to learn about modern-day immigration.
The U.S. Department of Education's Teaching American History grant program aims to enhance teachers' understanding of American history through intensive professional development, including study trips to historic sites and mentoring with professional historians and other experts.
For additional information about OCM BOCES' "First-Person America" project, contact BOCES' Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Support Services Jeff Craig at 315/433-2627 or by email at jcraig@ocmboces.org